welding wearing a pacemaker

[professor]

Have any of you that have pacemakers done any stick welding? I am considering trying to do a little welding wearing a heavy coat and keeping the electrode away from the pacemaker as far as possible. I use a string trimmer and chain saw with no adverse reactions.

 

[Clint S]

Talk with your MD. You may also want to find out the manufacturer of your pacemaker and contact them as some MD's will just give you a generic no. Do not weld until you do. I have heard you can do limited welding with lower amps, but I have also seen first hand a trip to the ER after trying to TIG.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Look at this web site: arc welding - Pacemaker Club

Also google "arc welding with a pacemaker". Quite a number of info sites.

Ron

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a pacemaker...and I've worked in companies that did welding.

First, talk to your doctor!!!

It's not just the stinger to be concerned about. The cables produce a magnetic field as well*...that would be the more dangerous issue if your pacemaker is susceptible to magnetic fields.

* I'm sure you're familiar with magnetic particle inspection (better known as Magnaflux). The cables and transformers used in Mag Particle aren't dissimilar to those used in welding... Coiled cables can generate a stronger magnetic field the one cable laid straight out. If you do weld, do NOT drape those cables over your shoulder. If you want to take some of the weight...rig up a bungee overhead that can support the cable weight.

And I reiterate: First, talk to your doctor!!!

 

[Buckgnarly]

I would not beleive a thing you read on the internet except when someone says talk to your doctor AND the maker of your welder. Both combined would know the real answers.

 

[CobyRupert]

A heavy coat? A coat if armor, grounded, may be better protection from the magnetic fields. But don't believe everything you read from the tin-foil hat wearing crowd on the Internet.

 

[RoyJackson]

A heavy coat? A coat if armor, grounded, may be better protection from the magnetic fields. But don't believe everything you read from the tin-foil hat wearing crowd on the Internet.

The best protection from magnetic fields is distance...

 

[adventure bob]

I know a mig will screw up a cell phone, I would be highly concerned of the rf effect on my pacemaker.
l

 

[RoyJackson]

I know a mig will screw up a cell phone, I would be highly concerned of the rf effect on my pacemaker.
l

With TIG, the high frequency used for arc stabilization can be a contributing factor.

Now, although I have welded (used to be pretty good with TIG and was certified while in the Navy), my civilian career exposed me to welding. Since the pacemaker was put in in 2008, I still worked in the vicinity of welding equipment but I always stayed a reasonable distances away for the welding work and equipment...same thing with mag particle equipment. I've never suffered any ill effects, but that's just me. Anyone with a pacemaker must (and I repeat myself) talk to their doctor...and even if he gives the go-ahead, I'd suggest ensuring there be another person around to keep an eye out...just in case.

 

[Arc weld]

High frequency used with TIG could cause problems. Never heard of high frequency with MIG but there are magnetic fields when ever DC current is used.

 

[RoyJackson]

High frequency used with TIG could cause problems. Never heard of high frequency with MIG but there are magnetic fields when ever DC current is used.

I think you're right about the MIG not using HF...

 

[ericher69]

In my MM252 owners manual it says to avoid doing the following;

Draping the stinger lead over your shoulder
Being between the stinger and ground cable

and

This is without a pacer...

 

[yomax4]

High Freq. On Tig can be a problem also Pulse tig or mig. It's a fact that low pulse frequency can cause a seizure. I would ask the Dr. and make him tell you why and how it is affected,

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Relating to my post:
I assumed the original poster had discussed the situation with their doctor and unit manufacturer so I picked one of the internet sites that was geared toward pacemaker users that were also welders. That is all their consensus when you read their web site. Yes, there is dangerous junk out their on the web but the site I picked was geared to the posters situation along with a lot of others. I did not plan to get a rant going.

Ron

 

[RoyJackson]

Relating to my post:
I assumed the original poster had discussed the situation with their doctor and unit manufacturer so I picked one of the internet sites that was geared toward pacemaker users that were also welders. That is all their consensus when you read their web site. Yes, there is dangerous junk out their on the web but the site I picked was geared to the posters situation along with a lot of others. I did not plan to get a rant going.

Ron

I don't think you got a rant going on...
I'm actually surprised there was a web site concerning welding and pacemakers!!

One thing we don't know is if the OP's pacemaker is a defibrillator type...it's my understanding that those types are more susceptible to magnetic interference...but I read that on the internet so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thanks Roy. I try to be positive whenever I can unless someones safety or well being is at risk. I was once contemplating an electronic device for pain control, the unit was Medtronic. I grilled their rep severely on welding with it on. Fortunately that is a unit you can disconnect from the implanted device w/o possible life threatening risk. Their testing was inconclusive. He finally came up with user statements that welding did not affect the unit. I had an operation instead so never used it.

Ron

 

[brin]

LOL....Never mind...when I first saw the title of the thread....I thought it said Wedding with a Pacemaker and I was going to post should be no problem but now that I think about it....depending on the bride...same advice might apply...check with the Doc....I need to start wearing my reading glasses more..

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I think that High Frequency, High Voltage that is generated with TIG is the main concern. DC stick welding usually isn't a problem. Mechanics wear pacemakers every day though and work around HF in ignition components etc....without issue. Unless you are holding a soaking wet electrode holder and wet shoes, you probably won't have an issue, but then again as everyone is saying, talk to the Dr. AND the mfgr. They do make shielded pacemakers and can install them if they know your profession or typical lifestyle ahead of time. If you live close to power lines, you may have more emf emitted from them than a welding lead.

 

[JakeBrake]

There's a reason why cardiologists who deal with the heart's rhythm are called electrophysiologists. I feel sure that the doctor who prescribed the pacemaker or defibrillator can tell you more than you may want to know about the effects of electrical welding around medical devices.

 

[k0ua]

There's a reason why cardiologists who deal with the heart's rhythm are called electrophysiologists. I feel sure that the doctor who prescribed the pacemaker or defibrillator can tell you more than you may want to know about the effects of electrical welding around medical devices.

Yep and he will have the information about THE pacemaker that is installed in you. There are vast differences in pacemakers, some are extremely sensitive and some are not.